Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DESCRIPTION
System, in particular hand grenade
The invention relates to a system, in particular a hand
grenade. The invention particularly focuses on a
mechanical interruption of an ignition chain in the
system under the influence of heat on the system.
A missile, in particular a hand grenade, is disclosed in
DD 25 092 A5. This comprises a metal tube into which a
delay composition is screwed. A blasting cap is attached
to the lower end of the delay composition. A plastic
explosive which is initiated by the blasting cap is used
as the explosive.
DE 601 08 055 T2 is situated in the technical field of
devices for the detonation of a pyrotechnic charge, in
particular for a hand grenade, in this case of delay
action means for the pyrotechnic initiation of a
pyrotechnic chain. Pyrotechnic delay elements in this
case are defined as elements of the pyrotechnic chain
which detonate an explosive charge after they have burned
through. A similar method involves replacing the
explosive or booster charge with a detonator which
guarantees continuation of the ignition of the
pyrotechnic chain. The detonator is included in a rotor
which can pivot due to an external impact and thereby
closes the ignition chain.
A further pyrotechnic ignition chain interruption of a
hand grenade fuse is described in DE 10 2009 059 951 B4.
The hand grenade fuse comprises a primer cap, a delay
composition ignited by the primer cap in a delay
composition receiving means and a detonator to be ignited
by the delay composition in a detonator holder. If the
primer cap should be inadvertently ignited, it is
guaranteed that the delay composition receiving means is
secured in a first position, so that it cannot adopt a
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second position. In this way, the obstruction of the
pivoting movement of the detonator holder is maintained
and the delay composition cannot ignite the detonator.
Furthermore, linear, thermally activated systems are
known in the art which have a negative effect on the
amount of explosive that can be used in the grenade,
particularly due to their size.
The mechanical components, which are highly complex for
the most part, have a high degree of fallibility. A
further fault influence that cannot be ignored is the
costly sealing of the pyrotechnic interfaces in respect
of environmental influences.
In addition, detonator systems are known in the art
which, on account of their technology, do not have any
explosive force without external insulation of the
detonator wall and become capable of detonation with
insulation from outside. These special explodable systems
are relatively large and expensive by comparison with
conventional detonators.
The problem addressed by the invention is that of
improving safety during the transportation and/or storage
of a system containing a blasting cap, in particular of
hand grenades. Hand grenades should also be prevented
from being detonated if there should be a fire.
The problem is solved by the features of Patent Claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments can be inferred from the
dependent claims.
The problem on which the invention is based is that of
installing a mechanical ignition interruption in the
system, i.e. to provide an active interruption of the
blasting cap or the detonator from the explosive. In this
way, a pyrotechnic ignition chain between the blasting
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cap and the explosive is interrupted. A hand grenade, for
example, is defined as the system for this purpose.
DE 10 2017 108 938 Al describes an irritant device having
means for adjusting effective power. The focus is
directed at achieving an individual adjustment
possibility for the number of active compositions
locally. A switching mechanism encloses a pipe with bores
and grooves incorporated around the circumference which
create a connection to the chambers provided in each case
through adjustment of the switching mechanism. In a
particular embodiment, the switching mechanism contains
the delay charge. It is thereby achieved that the delay
charge has no contact with the chambers when in a secured
position. This design offers the advantage that the
storage of irritant devices of this kind is more
reliable, since the connection between the delay
composition and the effect charge is interrupted during
storage with none of the bores coming into contact with
a chamber.
According to the invention, the blasting cap or the
detonator can be moved within the system from a safe
position into a live position, and vice versa. The
blasting cap is separated spatially or locally from the
explosive for safe positioning. To make the system live,
the blasting cap is moved into the active region of the
explosive. If the system is no longer needed, the
blasting cap can be moved back into the safe position.
This means that the system can also be returned to the
safe position.
Returning a system of the same kind to a safe position
is described in DE 10 2010 021 685 B4. The mechanism
comprises a moulded part which has a bolt which can engage
with a receiving means in the rocker lever and explosive
device housing. In addition, a profile is incorporated
which prevents a release in the locking position. This
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profile may be a ratchet profile on the profile part
which interacts functionally with a further means on the
explosive device.
The present system has a sleeve insert (cavity). The
sleeve insert is preferably cylindrical and is internally
preferably hollow. The sleeve insert can delimit the
explosive. The sleeve insert is open at its upper side
but closed on the bottom. It contains the separating
medium. In addition, the sleeve insert is preferably
formed from a plastic. Plastic can be used as a braking
medium.
The blasting cap can be introduced into this sleeve
insert. The blasting cap, for its part, is movable within
the sleeve insert of the system housing in a height-
adjustable manner. In the safe state, functionality of
the blasting cap with the explosive is prevented, even
if the blasting cap were to be initiated. In the live
state, functionality between the blasting cap and the
warhead is deliberately set. In the live state, an
effective power of the system can also be deliberately
set.
In a preferred embodiment the sleeve insert may be
incorporated in the system housing in such a manner that
a modular unit can be created. The sleeve insert,
explosive and housing can thereby create a lower module.
A fuse head may be introduced into this module. The lower
module has a receiving means for the fuse head for this
purpose. This may be provided with a rocker lever. The
fuse head may be inserted into the receiving means, e.g.
via a screw connection.
The fuse head also comprises a primer cap. In a preferred
embodiment, a delay line is incorporated in the fuse head
between the primer cap and the blasting cap. The blasting
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cap is preferably an integral part of the fuse head and
can be insulated therewith on the base of the delay line.
The fuse head, primer cap, possibly the delay line and
the blasting cap may, for their part, form an upper module
in a preferred embodiment.
An irritant device has already been proposed in DE 10
2010 052 210 Al which is formed from at least two modules.
An upper module is used for receiving a fuse head with a
rocker lever and contains upper blowout openings. A lower
module is intended to receive an effect charge. The two
modules can be connected to one another.
A detonation wave interruption or a detonation wave
weakening can be achieved through suitable separating
media. A suitable separating medium, in this case air,
for example, is used as the main brake medium of the
detonation wave.
Alongside suitable separating media, a detonation wave
interruption or weakening can also be achieved through
suitable spacings within the system. For this purpose,
the space between the blasting cap and the explosive can
be varied, for example. The variation in spacing takes
place through an adjustment of the blasting cap at the
height of the sleeve insert. Particularly through a
movement of the fuse head itself, a localized or spatial
change in position of the blasting cap in relation to the
sleeve insert can be undertaken. The system can be
changed from a safe state into a live state, and vice
versa, through this positional change of the blasting
cap.
In the safe state, the blasting cap is preferably located
completely outside the sleeve insert. The sleeve insert
in this case only holds the separating medium, e.g. air.
It is thereby ensured that a possible detonation wave
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cannot take effect on the explosive. A possible
detonation wave to the explosive is interrupted.
In the live (armed) state, a reinforcement of the
detonation waves of the blasting cap can be created
through suitable structural measures in the system. A
reinforcement of the detonation wave of the blasting cap
in the armed state can also be achieved through
mechanical measures, e.g. through a positional change of
the blasting cap in the system. If the blasting cap is
located entirely within the sleeve insert, an
optimization of the detonation wave is usually set. The
detonation wave can be weakened by the blasting cap being
removed from the active region of the explosive once
again until the blasting cap leaves the sleeve insert
again and the system is in the safe state.
This controllability of the initiating power is, for
example, also achievable through a radial and axial
weakening of the detonation transmission efficiency of
the blasting cap below the deflagration threshold of the
explosive.
As a further structural measure for reinforcing the
detonation wave, it may be provided that the sleeve
insert exhibits a kind of constriction on the base side
or in the base region. This may be smaller in diameter
than the diameter of the sleeve insert. The cross section
of this constriction may be round, oval, square, etc. A
conical, truncated conical, pyramid-shaped but also
cylindrically shaped constriction is possible in this
case. The blasting cap and the sleeve insert should be
geometrically adjusted to one another. In this way, a
centring of the blasting cap in the end region of the
sleeve insert can also be achieved.
An additional efficiency increase of the blasting cap or
the detonator can be achieved if an upper insulation with
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a delay tube of the delay line and fuse is provided.
Furthermore, controllability of the initiating
efficiency below as well as above the deflagration limit
of the explosive is also feasible.
A permanent connection is provided between the fuse head
and the system housing during adjustment of the fuse
head, for example, and associated with this, the blasting
cap within the sleeve insert in relation to the
detonation waves to the explosive. Alternatively, the
fuse head may, however, also be completely turned out of
the system housing.
Conventional blasting caps can be used in the invention;
there is no need for special blasting caps. The blasting
caps can be integrated into existing systems. A standard
explosive can also be used. This allows for use in
standard explosive devices or traditional hand grenades.
No seals are required for the parts which are movable in
respect of one another. A major advantage lies in the
fact that the interruption of the ignition chain is not
achieved through interference with the pyrotechnics.
The blasting cap has a compact structural form and a
simple mechanism. The system body and fuse head need not
be packed separately. The system can be armed directly
for use. When not in use, the live system can be returned
to a safe state, the disarmed state. It is not therefore
possible for the fuse head to be armed without the system
being activated beforehand. Transformation of the system
body during the triggering of the blasting cap in the
safe state is impossible.
In order to improve safety, particularly during
transportation and/or storage, a system is proposed which
at least comprises a housing and the explosive held
therein. This is initiated by the blasting cap. A sleeve
insert in the housing makes it possible for the blasting
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cap to be removed from the explosive, in that the blasting
cap in the sleeve insert is height-adjustable, so that
the position or spacing of the blasting cap relative to
the explosive can be changed. This structural solution
makes it possible for the system to be transported and
stored in the safe state. A further advantage that can
arise during this is that the system can be changed
locally from a safe and activated state and from this
back into a safe state.
A pressure element is attached between the fuse head and
the housing. The pressure spring which is installed in
addition ensures a guaranteed separation of the blasting
cap and possibly the delay element from the explosive,
particularly under the influence of heat caused by fire,
since the functionality and strength of plastics can no
longer be guaranteed when under the influence of intense
heat. This principle functions on the basis of a slow
influence of heat from the outer layers of plastic
inwards and presses the ignition elements or the fuse
head actively out from the explosive device (housing)
following the softening of the outer (screw) connections.
This means that an approximation of the blasting cap to
the explosive is ruled out.
The invention is to be more closely illustrated with the
help of exemplary embodiments and the drawing. The basic
principle of the invention is considered more closely in
this case. Sizes of the individual components, or the
like, cannot be inferred from these exemplary
embodiments. In the figures:
Fig. 1 shows a system according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows the fuse head from Fig. 1,
Fig. 3a-c show a sketched depiction of a first embodiment
of the invention,
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Fig. 4a-c show a sketched depiction of a second
embodiment of the invention.
In Fig. 1, a system - in this case a hand grenade - is
identified using 10. The system 10 at least comprises a
fuse head 11. A lever 12, for example a rocker lever, may
be attached to the fuse head 11. The system 10 also has
a housing 13. The housing 13 has an opening 13.1 for
receiving the fuse head 11. The fuse head 11 can be
screwed into the housing 13, for example. At least the
(screw) connection between the fuse head 11 and the
housing 13 is based on a material made of plastic.
Fig. 2 shows the fuse head 11 from Fig. 1. The fuse head
11 comprises a primer cap which is not depicted in greater
detail and has at least one blasting cap 1 on the base
side. In a preferred embodiment, the fuse head 11 also
has a delay line which can be created in a manner known
in the art by a delay composition in a delay composition
receiving means 14, e.g. a delay tube. The blasting cap
1 can then be attached to this delay tube 14 on a lower
base surface. The blasting cap 1 is preferably insulated
with the base area of the delay tube 14. In the region
of the blasting cap 1, a pressure element 15, e.g. a
pressure spring, is attached on the circumferential side
below the fuse head 11.
The housing 13 of the system 10 is filled with an
explosive 3. The housing 13 also receives a sleeve insert
2. The explosive 3 can be delimited by the sleeve insert
2.
The deflagration limit of the explosive 3 used determines
the necessary combustion pressure which is required in
order to create a necessary deflagration wave to initiate
the explosive 3. Accordingly, the detonation transmission
can be weakened by suitable separating media and/or
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spacings, so that an initiation of the explosive 3 does
not take place. Using these measures, individually or in
combination, an interruption or weakening of the
detonation wave acting on the explosive 3 can be created.
In this way, a safe state can also be set.
In a first embodiment according to Figs. 3a-3c, the
sleeve insert 2 is configured cylindrically with a flat
base 6 and has an opening 8 opposite this base 6. The
sleeve insert 2 has a hollow or empty space 5. A
separating medium or separating means 4, e.g. air, can
be introduced in said space. The blasting cap 1 can be
moved into and out of the sleeve insert 2. The blasting
cap 1 is arranged within the sleeve insert 2 in a height-
adjustable manner for this purpose.
The safe state of the system 10 is depicted in Fig. 3a.
The blasting cap 1 is located outside the sleeve insert
2 and is not therefore in contact with the explosive 3.
An initiation of the blasting cap 1 by the delay charge
does not lead to an initiation of the explosive 3. A
deflagration wave which forms cannot reach the explosive
3. This variant has the advantage that an unwanted
initiation of the explosive 3 can be definitively
precluded.
Fig. 3b shows a first armed or live state of the system
10. The blasting cap 1 is located at least partially in
the sleeve insert 2. The blasting cap 1 in this case
interacts functionally in a known manner with the
explosive 3 in the system 10. An ignition of the blasting
cap 1 by the delay charge causes the initiation of the
explosive 3 during closure of the ignition chain.
Optimization of the initiating power is achieved when the
blasting cap 1 has been completely moved into the sleeve
insert 2 (Fig. 3c).
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Figs. 4a-4c show a further embodiment. A lower end region
of the sleeve insert 2' has a shoulder 7 in the form of
a constriction. A base 6' of the sleeve insert 2' has a
smaller diameter than the sleeve insert 2' itself. In
order to centre the blasting cap 1 in the sleeve insert
2', this tapering or constriction can be used at least
to support the orientation within the sleeve insert 2'.
The constriction 7 may have a uniform geometric shape
like the sleeve insert 2', but it may also differ
therefrom. The blasting cap 1 and at least the end region,
i.e. the constriction 7 of the sleeve insert 2' should,
however, be adapted to one another in terms of shape.
If there is no longer an anticipated use, the system 10
can be changed from the live, armed state back into a
safe, disarmed state. For this purpose, the blasting cap
1 is moved from the active region of the explosive 3,
from the sleeve insert 2, 2'.
The adjustment of the blasting cap 1 can take place
through movement of the fuse head 11. This can be achieved
through a rotation of the fuse head 11, for example. If
the fuse head 11 is turned to the right, for example, the
blasting cap 1 moves in the direction of the sleeve insert
2, 2'. A rotation to the left then once again moves the
blasting cap 1 out of the sleeve insert 2, 2' accordingly.
The connection between the fuse head 11 and the housing
13 in this case is preferably achieved via a thread based
on plastic on the fuse head 11 and on the housing 13.
The pressure element 15 which is installed in addition
is used to ensure the separation of the blasting cap 1
and, where necessary, the delay element (14) from the
explosive 3, particularly when under the influence of
heat caused by fire, etc. The functionality and strength
of plastics cannot be guaranteed when under the influence
of intense heat. If the plastic, and therefore the
connection between the housing 13 and the fuse head 11,
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is softened under the influence of heat and the pressure
element 15 presses the fuse head 11 out of the housing
13, the blasting cap 1 should be located in the live
position or in the live state.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing 13, the explosive
3 and the sleeve insert 2, 2' form a modular, self-
contained unit 20 or 20', in which the fuse head 11 can
be received. The fuse head 11 may likewise form a modular
unit 21 with the primer cap, the blasting cap 1 and
possibly the delay line 14.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-13
